salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 66.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $120,800 a year. That is $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 107 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Watertown?
Share of households by yearly income. 50.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Watertown
| Size | Watertown | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,928 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,373 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,798 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,155 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,727 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Watertown overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Watertown, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Watertown
Life in Watertown
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Watertown?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,424 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $784,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $78,460 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Watertown, MA?
Renting in Watertown costs a median of about $3,020 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Watertown?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $120,800 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Watertown cheap or expensive?
Watertown is rated OK: rent takes 26.6% of the typical household income of $136,177. It ranks 107th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Watertown?
The median homeowner in Watertown pays $6,799 a year in property taxes, about 0.87% of the median home value.
Is Watertown more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Watertown?
The median home value in Watertown is $784,600, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
35,543 people live in Watertown. Numbers are typical (middle) values.